Hawker Funeral Home
On the beautiful summer morning of June 30th, Ren received his calling back home, encircled by love.
Ren was born in Pocatello, Idaho on May 30th, 1940 to Reynolds H and Ida K Cook Hill.
He joined two older brothers Keith & Gary. He later had the opportunity to be the big brother himself, when his only sister, ReNida, joined the family.
He was raised in Groveland amongst a vast extended family that also homesteaded there. He spent many a day helping with the family business, Hill's Happy Corner, later to be known as Groveland Merc.
At the age of 7, he was the victim of a hit and run accident on Groveland road where he suffered a skull fracture as well as a serious eye injury, which resulted in him being blinded in his left eye. Later in life, he always joked that he was "blind in one eye and couldn't see out of the other." Never the less, he participated in many activities including Pony League Baseball.
Upon completing his education and despite his eye injury, he wanted to serve his country and enlisted in the Air Force. He later received an honorable discharge.
Ren never met a car he didn't love! He was meant for anything motorized. If it made noise, required fuel and went fast, he was all in. His passion for cars is part of what lead him into his love of racing.
Fridays and Saturdays would find him at Sportsman's Speedway (a track that he had a hand in developing) in Blackfoot as well as Pocatello Speedway, racing Street Stock Division in his yellow car, #177, lovingly named 'Ol' Yeller'.
He married Faith Hope Simmons to which three children were born. Daughter Jodee and sons Kerry and Lynn Hill. They divorced in the fall of 1965. He later went on to have another son Todd Hendricks.
In 1969, he married Maurine Jensen. From that marriage he gained 3 step children. Kristin, Bradley and Susan Orme. In addition, Ren & Maurine had two sons together, Renny & Jerod (JJ) Hill. They later divorced.
In 1991, Ren met the absolute love of his life, Diane Mihlfeith. They were married October 22, 1991 and the union was solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple in 1993.
To this marriage, Ren again gained 6 more stepchildren to love. Tony, Marcella, Danny, Tom, Katie & Ben. Ren and Diane's marriage was blessed with many happy hours spent together laughing and sharing stories, often surrounded by music. Diane passed away January 31, 2015, leaving him heartbroken. In 2018 he sold his home and moved to Fairings Retirement Center where he established many new friendships and associations, where he enjoyed Pinochle, putting, poker and pool with his newfound friends.
Ren was an exceptionally talented man. He had a beautiful voice that he shared with many in choirs, weddings and funerals, as well as community and church productions.
He was a founding member of the Blackfoot Community Players where he acted in comedies, musicals and melodramas. He played the lead role in the 5 stake production of "Hello Dolly". Weekends and after-work hours would often find him creating scenery, directing and renovating the Civic Center as well as the Nuart for theatrical productions.
You could also find him on a softball field either coaching or umpiring. He was an avid bowler; he bowled for many years on the Monday and Tuesday night leagues.
Ren's work ethic was one of integrity, having spent a span of over 50 years employed by Basic American. His career included working as a Supervisor, and then ultimately managing the Shipping and Receiving department. Upon retirement, this great work ethic led him to take on a courier route with Basic American, working 364 days a year. He was also employed part time by East Idaho Auto Auction. These jobs satisfied his love of the open road. He knew every side road in the intermountain area and preferred to spend many hours on relaxing drives.
Ren is preceded in death by his parents Reynolds and Ida Hill, son Lynne Hill, brothers Keith and Gary Hill. His wife Diane, a stepson Brad Orme, grandchildren Brendan Orme, as well as Cami and Kelsi Coles.
He is survived by his only remaining sibling, ReNida Heidel. Also surviving are his children Renny (Mandy Carr) Hill, JJ (Jennifer Moon) Hill as well as Jodee Clemons, and Kerry and Eeth Hill. He is also survived by son, Todd Hendricks.
Stepchildren: Kristin (William) Barrus, Susan (Todd) Jensen, Tony Lopez, Marcella (Gail Fields) Murdoch, Danny Mihlfieth, Tom (Kim) Mihlfeith, Katie (Ryan) Leavitt, and Ben Mihlfeith.
Ren was also a loving grandfather and great grandfather to his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. His love was unending and he has left a great legacy for his family.
Being the car enthusiast that he was, the family is encouraging everyone to drive their new, old, fun, unique as well as fast or slow cars to the service, to help provide a final car show that Ren would have loved.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at the Moreland LDS Church. Family will meet with friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, 2021 at Hawker Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the service at the church.
Condolences may be shared at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com.
LINKS
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